The Grapevine: Wine industry updates from South Australia
In this edition of The Grapevine: bite-sized fine dining pays off for Maxwell Wines, an SA industry leader heads up a global wine network and a sharp addition for Seppeltsfield.
- Maxwell Wines snacks on global accolade
- SA primary industries leader named President of global wine network
- Legendary bladesmith opens tiny shop at Seppeltsfield
- Barossa drop wins prestigious Grenache trophy
- Double win for McLaren Vale boutique winemaker
Maxwell Wines snacks on global accolade
Three-hatted dining in a cellar door and the introduction of a snack menu was behind South Australian winery Maxwell Wines winning the prestigious 2026 Global Best of Wine Tourism Awards trophy in the Culinary Experiences category.
Presented at the Great Wine Capitals Gala Dinner in Bordeaux earlier this month, the award recognised innovation and excellence in wine tourism across the world’s best wine regions.
Judges said Maxwell Wines raised the bar for culinary experiences, highlighting its bite-sized snacks curated by an award-winning chef at its two-hatted restaurant.
“This recognition on the global stage is a proud moment for our entire team,” Maxwell Wines general manager Jeremy Maxwell said.
“It’s a true reflection of the creativity and dedication that drives everything we do.
“Our snack menu has become a defining part of the experience, giving guests another way to connect with what makes McLaren Vale so special.”
Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said the accolade for Maxwell Wines further cemented South Australia’s reputation in food and wine.
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“With 80 per cent of the nation’s premium wine made in South Australia and more than 300 cellar doors around the state, we hold our place as one of the 12 Great Wine Capitals globally,” she said.
SA primary industries leader named president of global wine network
Primary Industries and Regions executive director of industry, strategy and partnership Jo Collins was elected president of the global group Great Wine Capitals for the next two years.
As part of the GWC Annual General Meeting and Conference, Collins’ first role was to welcome wine region Yantai in China as the first ever Observer Member of GWC.
Collins was a founding leader of the Adelaide, South Australia chapter of GWC, with the state government noting her “instrumental” role in shaping the network’s direction over the past decade.
Collins led Adelaide’s bid to join GWC in 2016 and had served two terms as vice president.
“It’s an honour and privilege to lead such an extraordinary alliance of wine regions,” Collins said.
“Our network is built on collaboration – not competition.
“Together, we represent some of the world’s most inspiring wine destinations, and by sharing what we know, we make each other stronger.”
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Legendary bladesmith opens tiny shop at Seppeltsfield
Seppeltsfield Estate knifemaker Barry Gardner has officially opened The Tiny Knife Shop at the Barossa site.
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The store would be a small artisan retail experience home to Gardner’s exclusive range of knives, located adjacent to the dining hall at Seppeltsfield Estate.
Gardner has been a staple at the JamFactory Craft + Design offering at Seppeltsfield since 2013.
“I am very excited to embark on this new chapter at the 174-year-old Seppeltsfield Estate,” Gardner said.
“The Tiny Knife Shop has been a dream for me, offering visitors with the complete artisan retail experience, where they can purchase from the current selection or place a custom order.
“I believe that a knife, whatever it is used for, should become an extension of your hand and a real joy to use.”
Barossa drop wins prestigious Grenache trophy
Yalumba’s 2024 Vine Vale Grenache won the James Halliday Grenache Challenge, an Australia-wide tasting competition focused solely on single-variety Grenache wines.
It beat out 154 other Grenache wines from around Australia, with chair of judges Toby Barlow noting this year’s competition “showcased the remarkable breadth and depth of Grenache being produced across Australia”.
Judges said the Yalumba Grenache had exceptional red fruited freshness, purity, and a persistence of flavour that carried across the palate.
“It’s a very well-crafted and composed wine that speaks to both vineyard and sensitive winemaking,” Barlow said.
Yalumba head winemaker Sam Wigan said he was “absolutely thrilled and deeply honoured”.
Double win for McLaren Vale boutique winemaker
Family-owned Sellicks Hill vineyard Culley Road won two major awards at the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards for its 2025 Culley Road Grenache Rosé.
The wine was awarded Best Rosé and Best Organic or Biodynamic Wine, with judges praising its red-berry aromas, subtle floral notes and a crisp finish.
“These trophies mean so much to us,” Culley Road owner and vigneron Mark Kenneally said.
“Culley Road is our home, we’re a small producer with limited production, there is only two small blocks of Grenache in this wine, so to win at such a prestigious national show is huge.”
